Fast-rising cholera cases across war-torn Sudan alarm the UN

CAIRO (AP):

Cholera cases in war-torn Sudan increased by nearly 40 per cent in less than two weeks, according to the latest figures, alarming the UN health officials, who long warned about the outbreak and the lack of proper response since it was reported in July.

Sudan’s health ministry said on Monday that there were 21,288 cases across 11 of the 18 states during this period, including 626 deaths. This marks a significant increase from 15,577 cases and 506 deaths reported on September 26. The cases are primarily in the eastern states.

Most cases were reported in Kassala, where UNICEF is collaborating with the ministry and the World Health Organization (WHO) to carry out a second round of the oral cholera vaccination campaign that kicked off last month.

“There’s no doubt that the number of cases is increasing rather rapidly. We’re seeing a faster rate of spread than we did during the outbreak last year, so the number of cases is concerning,” Richard Brennan, the regional emergency director at WHO, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “That’s why, together with the Ministry of Health and partners like UNICEF, we’re redoubling our efforts here.”

Cholera was officially declared an outbreak on August 12 by the health ministry after a new wave of cases was reported, starting July 22. The disease is spreading especially in areas devastated by recent heavy rainfalls and floods, particularly in eastern Sudan which sheltered millions of people displaced by the conflict between the Sudanese military and the RSF.

Cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes diarrhoea, leading to severe dehydration and could be fatal if not immediately treated, according to WHO. It’s transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water.